Woman sues Airbnb after US host sexually assaulted her

Airbnb is facing a lawsuit after a guest says the company failed to do a background check that would have uncovered the criminal history of a host who she claims sexually assaulted her.

The property owner, who had earned the upper-tier status of “superhost”, has said the assault never happened, The New York Times reports.

Airbnb has defended its screening measures but also barred the owner from listing on its site.

The lawsuit, filed by Leslie Lapayowker, argues a background check would have uncovered the fact the owner had previously been arrested and charged with battery, and therefore prevented him from listing property on Airbnb.

According to the suit, in July 2016 Ms Lapayowker rented a studio apartment in Los Angeles attached to the home of Carlos Del Olmo.

While she had rented the property for a month, the suit says she had stayed only three nights because Mr Del Olmo’s behaviour.

She claims he made sexually suggestive comments, used drugs in front of his underage son and pounding on her windshield while she was in her car.